There are a few behavioral traits you should look out for, says Rajeev Kumar, general manager of human resources at IT firm NIIT Technologies Ltd. For instance, is a particular colleague being assertive, aggressive or uncooperative immediately after your promotion or salary increment?

Jealous colleagues may also try and jeopardize your relationship with seniors before a yearly review, says K.S. Bakshi, vice president human resources at IndiGo Airlines.

This is a dynamic that typically comes up between employees with similar jobs who report to the same manager.

Be wary of these signs but don’t equate unpleasant or competitive behavior to jealously, experts say.

It’s natural to be unnerved by petty gossip but a response would “just build your enemy’s ammunition,” notes Purva Misra, senior vice president of human resources at online travel agency MakeMyTrip. Don’t let his or her bickering overshadow your work: “Be a sponge which absorbs but cannot be squeezed,” she adds.

Mr. Maini of DLF Premerica offers another perspective. “Remember, you’re only being talked of because your colleague aspired to be what you are and couldn’t,” he argues.

Avoid the “J” word. If the situation gets to a point where your productivity is suffering, it’s time to do something about it. But be careful about which words you pick.

For instance, is it a good idea to walk up to a colleague’s desk and accuse him or her of being jealous? Of course not, say human resources experts. Your colleague may be simmering with envy but he’ll never admit to it, says Mr. Kumar of NIIT Technologies. A confrontation would only aggravate a bitter spat, he adds.

So what’s the best way of communicating with them?”

Don’t be aggressive. “The slightest provocation could serve as the perfect opportunity to twist your words and use them against you,” cautions Mr. Bakshi of IndiGo Airlines.

Approach him with specific concerns – such as by demanding explanations for why they are being uncooperative –instead of accusing them of being jealous.

For instance, ask them if there is anything that is troubling them. If necessary, draw attention to the fact that his or her conduct may damage the team’s overall performance, says Mr. Kumar.

Build allies in the right places. Maintaining strong interpersonal relationships at work is always handy.

For starters, says Mr. Maini, keep your manager in the loop of your day-to-day activities and daily progress. Mr. Maini claims that an envious co-worker once tried to project him in a bad light by misinforming his superiors about his work.

He recommends regularly reporting to your superior about your progress to prevent such accusations to harm your relationship with your boss.

At the same time, “make sure your friends aren’t only in those high places,” says Ms. Misra of MakeMyTrip. Be on good terms with all employees irrespective of their designation, she adds. “It helps to have your eco-system speak well of you,” as it discourages jealous co-workers from speaking out against you.

Put yourself in their shoes. Look into why they are being so bitter.

For instance, if they seem frustrated by the lack of recognition their work gets, make an effort to praise them, says Mr. Bakshi of IndiGo Airlines. This could help ease tensions.

Even better, you could give them tips on how to improve their performance or how to highlight their achievements. But be careful about sounding too patronizing.

Are you also to blame? Are you constantly flaunting your achievements with your co-workers? Do you boast about how much your boss likes you? Bad idea: this just stokes jealously and does you no good in the work place.

Do your part to prevent the work dynamic from getting unpleasant. “Self-evaluation is extremely important,” says Mr. Kumar of NIIT Technologies.

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